JPH0811122B2 - Absorbent product with expandable variation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article such as an incontinent pad that is both comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing large volumes of body liquids rapidly without leakage, especially a subsequent gush of liquid. Such an absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, a layered expandable absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, at least two resilient shaping members, an acquisition channel, a liquid acquisition zone and at least two liquid impervious shelves. The present invention also relates to an absorbent article provided with an expandable overwrap having an expansion means for allowing the overwrap to expand when the absorbent core swells when wetted. The overwrap of the absorbent article is provided with an expansion means for permitting the overwrap to expand as the absorbent core swells when it it wetted. The expansion means is a releasable tack or other means that releases the overwrap when a slight shearing or peeling force or action is applied to the expansion means. Thus the swelling of the absorbent core is less likely to deform the shape of the pad or cause a loss of the absorptive capacity of the article, especially for subsequent gushes of liquids.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an absorbent product such as an incontinence pad, and more particularly to an absorbent product that is comfortable and capable of rapidly receiving and containing a large amount of liquid. Is.

[Conventional technology and problems]

The lack of hygiene products designed for the incontinent man with incontinence is becoming increasingly problematic. There are sanitary napkins, panty liners, disposable briefs and hem for such people, but these products are not satisfactory in terms of comfort and leak prevention. Menstrual products such as panty liners and sanitary napkins are very comfortable to use. However, these products do not provide sufficient storage levels for high urine output. While diapers and briefs meet the capacity requirements of incontinent persons, these products lack the comfort and separability afforded by sanitary napkins and panty liners.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide absorbent products such as incontinence pads that are comfortable and separable, yet provide excellent leak protection and containment capacity. For that purpose, a large amount of liquid can be rapidly received and contained in a small area, and this liquid can be efficiently and quickly distributed throughout the product, conform to the wearer's body, and have excellent physical contact conditions. (That is, to keep the product in close proximity to the wearer's body and conform to the body shape) and to maintain its integrity in the event of a leak and receive and receive the next liquid excretion or squirt, and What is needed is an absorbent product that is capable of preventing leakage (ie, the force exerted by squeezing the liquid out of the product so that the liquid again contacts the wearer's skin).

One way to increase the absorbency of such products is to provide a space or tank located adjacent to the upper surface of the product. An example of this type of product is U.S. Pat. No. 3, issued January 23, 1968 to WF Hirsch.
No. 364,931, Cesky et al., US Pat. No. 4,029,101, issued June 14, 1977, and Holtzmann et al.
It is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,586 issued Feb. 26, 985. While such products provide a means to increase their ability to receive large volumes of liquid, they often cannot effectively receive subsequent liquid excretion or squirt and prevent re-leakage. This is due to the lack of material integrity or shape retention after leakage. Absorbent cores, such as those made of crepe wadding or cellulose fibers, tend to crack, ball, or clump when leaked. Therefore, these absorbent cores are relatively amorphous and cannot retain their shape. Also, these elements tend to be flat and compact when stressed. Since absorbent products are subject to various stresses during use, they tend to lose their shape when leaked. It therefore does not conform to the wearer's body and is uncomfortable. In addition, the leaking and compressed absorbent core loses its ability to absorb subsequent liquid excretion or squirt, resulting in
The chances of leakage and breakage are increased. In addition, the space or tank loses its size and shape, which not only reduces its ability to contain large volumes of liquid, but also overlap (ov
Since the erwrap is no longer spaced from the absorbent core, the risk of re-leakage increases.

Accordingly, an absorbent product is provided that is comfortable and rapidly absorbs and contains the next jet of liquid to retain its shape after leakage so as not to increase the likelihood of leakage or re-leakage. There is a need to. Therefore, it is desirable to provide absorbent products that are moisture insensitive without losing comfort or absorbent capacity. It is also desirable to provide products that have improved absorption capacity and comfort.

Another way to increase the absorbency of absorbent products is to include water-insoluble hydrogels. Water-insoluble hydrogels are polymeric materials capable of absorbing large amounts of liquid and retaining it under moderate pressure. Due to the absorbent properties of these water-insoluble hydrogels, these materials are particularly suitable for loading into absorbent products such as incontinence pads.

The efficiency of a liquid absorbent hydrogel material in a disposable absorbent product is highly dependent on its shape, placement and / or method of loading the hydrogel material into the absorbent product. For example, in some cases, the absorption efficiency of hydrogels in absorbent products is adversely affected by a phenomenon called "gel blocking". Gel blocking refers to a state that occurs when hydrogel particles, films, fibers, composites, etc. leak. When leaking, the surface of the hydrogel material swells, inhibiting the transfer of liquid into the material. Wetting inside the material occurs by a very slow diffusion process. This, in practice, means that the rate of absorption of liquid by the product is much slower than the release of liquid that should be absorbed, and the defects of this product before the hydrogel material in the absorbent product is completely saturated. Occurs.

Therefore, the hydrogel material can perform the desired function of retaining body fluid particularly effectively and efficiently without interfering with the action of the absorbent product for containing and distributing the excreted body fluid therein. There is always a need to discover absorbent products containing hydrogels. Hydrogel materials are generally conventional absorbent fiber materials (eg cellulose fibers).
Much more expensive than Therefore, it would be desirable to provide absorbent products that have improved absorption capacity for hydrogel-containing products or that have reduced use of relatively expensive hydrogel materials while retaining the absorbent capacity of the product. It would also be desirable to provide a product in which the liquid-storing hydrogel material does not adversely affect the efficiency of absorbent products that rapidly contain body fluids.

Furthermore, the hydrogel-containing absorbent core must also swell because the hydrogel material swells and expands when leaked. The only expandable space of the absorbent core is inside the absorbent product, since the overlap is generally tightly secured around the absorbent product. This is especially important for incontinence pads, or other absorbent products that have spaces or tanks inside the product. The hydrogel-containing absorbent core extends into these spaces with consequent loss of space or containment. Furthermore, if there is no space for the absorbent core to expand, it will be squeezed and compressed, increasing the risk of re-leakage. Therefore, there is a need to provide a hydrogel-containing absorbent product that allows the overlap to expand as the hydrogel expands. It is therefore desirable to provide a product in which the expansion means can constantly adjust the overlap as the hydrogel expands. It would also be desirable to provide a product in which the as-manufactured space and channel dimensions are retained during product expansion.

OBJECT AND EFFECT OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent product capable of rapidly receiving and containing a large amount of excretory body fluid without leakage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent product that has improved comfort for the wearer in both wet and dry conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an acquisition channel for the rapid receipt and containment of large volumes of bodily fluids to prevent these fluids from flowing back through the topsheet and re-leaking the wearer. , An absorbent product having a moisture-insensitive elastic shaping member.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent product having a liquid impermeable shelf in order to utilize the hydrogel material of the absorbent core more effectively.

Yet another object of the present invention is that when the hydrogel-containing absorbent core expands when leaked, the overlap retains the surface area of the product while at least retaining the volume of the liquid containing area in use, It is also an object of the invention to provide an absorbent product having an overlap and a means for releasing the overlap, which increases, if possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a disposable absorbent product, such as an incontinence pad, that is comfortable and is particularly suitable for absorbing and containing large amounts of body fluid without leakage during subsequent body fluid ejection. Such an absorbent product comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, a stratified inflatable absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and at least two elastic shaping members. A storage channel, a liquid storage area, and at least two liquid impermeable racks. The present invention also relates to an absorbent article having an expandable overlap having expansion means for expanding the overlap when the absorbent core leaks and swells.

The elastic shaping member of the present invention provides an improved absorbent product design having raised edges and liquid containing channels. The elastic shaping member is a compressible, conformable, elastic and moisture insensitive fiber assembly that retains its shape in the event of a leak.

The liquid impermeable shelf is composed of a plurality of shelf layers formed by folding a part of the back sheet. Liquid impermeable tanks allow a liquid stream to flow towards the lower layer of the absorbent core,
The bottom and sides of these lower layers are used, which makes the use of the hydrogel material more efficient. To provide stability to the absorbent product, spacer beads can be placed between each of the liquid impermeable racks and between the shelf layers.

The absorbent product overlap comprises expansion means for expanding the absorbent core when it leaks and swells. The expansion means is a peelable adhesive or other means that causes the overlap to peel when subjected to light shear stress or peeling action. Therefore, the tendency for the swelling of the absorbent core to deform the shape of the pad or to cause a loss of the absorbent capacity of the product, especially during subsequent ejection of bodily fluid, is reduced.

[Examples] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples shown in the drawings.

In this specification, "disposable absorbent product" means
A product that absorbs and contains body secretions, and more particularly, is placed in contact with or in proximity to a wearer's body to absorb and contain various secretions excreted from the body, 1
A product that is abandoned after one use (ie, never washed or otherwise stored or reused). An incontinence pad 20 as a preferred embodiment of the disposable absorbent product of the present invention is shown in plan view in FIG. 1 and in cross section in FIG. As used herein, the term "incontinence pad" generally refers to garments worn by an incontinent person by directly adhering to the crotch portion of their underwear.
However, the invention also finds application in other disposable absorbent products such as incontinence briefs, diapers and sanitary napkins.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the incontinence pad 20 of the present invention with a portion of the structure broken away and the portion in contact with the wearer shown above to clearly show the internal structure. Incontinence pad 20 includes an overlap 21 illustrated by a liquid permeable topsheet 22 and a liquid impermeable backsheet 24. An absorbent core 26 is arranged between the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent core 26 is preferably 2
A layer or two or more separate layers are included. At least two elastic shaping members 28 are provided between the absorbent core 26 and the topsheet 22.
Is arranged. As shown in FIG. 2, these shaping members
28 are arranged one on each side of the incontinence pad 20 and spaced apart from each other. A receiving channel 30 is arranged between the topsheet 22 and the absorbent core 26, which is defined by elastic shaping members 28 which are at least spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. In the case of FIG. 2, the containment channel 30 is preferably located directly below the topsheet 22 to allow the incontinence pad 20 to rapidly receive large amounts of waste. A liquid impermeable backsheet 24 preferably extends along the bottom and sides of the incontinence pad 20 and covers a portion of each elastic shaping member 28 to contain a liquid within the incontinence pad 20. To make. Preferably, the backsheet 24 is associated with the topsheet 22 adjacent each elastic shaping member 28 so that the topsheet 22 covers the receiving channel 30 and at least a portion of each elastic shaping member 28. Along the bottom of the incontinence pad 20,
An adhesive layer 32 is adhered to the backsheet 24, and the layer 32 is covered by a removable release liner 34.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the absorbent core 26 is preferably a unitary web of material arranged in multiple layers. These constituent layers are formed by longitudinal pleats in the web. Thus, the absorbent core 26 places multiple layers on either side of the incontinence pad 20, creating a central void or channel to allow liquid to be rapidly absorbed by the incontinence pad 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent core 26 preferably includes a base layer 36 disposed adjacent the backsheet 24, at least two first support layers 38, and at least two first edges. Layers or first side marigin layer 40,
It has at least two layers of the second support layer 42 and at least two layers of the second support layer 44. Each set of these support layers and edge layers are in a spaced relationship to each other. Each edge layer set must be separated from each other so as not to impede the rapid flow of liquid within the incontinence pad 20 and the absorbent core 26. Thus, the absorbent core 26 is defined by the first central channel 46 longitudinally defined by the first edge layer 40 and the first support layer 38, the second edge layer 44 and the second support layer 42. A second central channel 48 defined longitudinally.

Since the hydrogel material slowly absorbs liquid and expands or swells when wetted, the incontinence pad 20 must have voids for rapid containment and storage of liquid. This void is a liquid storage area as a whole
Called fifty. Therefore, the volume of the liquid storage area 50 should be at least as large as the expected liquid volume that the incontinence pad 20 is expected to receive, absorb and retain. Second
As shown in the figure, the liquid containing area 50 includes at least the elastic shaping member 28 and the containing channel 30. When the absorbent core 26 is a multi-layer structure, the liquid containing area 50 is more absorbent core.
It includes 26 first central channels 46 and second central channels 48. In addition, the incontinence pad 20 and the liquid containing area 50 additionally have a first liquid distribution layer 5 to provide additional voids for receiving and holding liquid and for rapid liquid distribution through the pad.
2, a second liquid distribution layer 54 and a third liquid distribution layer 55 may be included. As shown in FIG. 1, the incontinence pad 20 is an elongated absorbent product that is held on the wearer's crotch area to receive and absorb bodily fluids. Incontinence pad 20 shown in FIG.
Embodiment has a generally straight longitudinal edge and a distal end. However, any suitable design known in the art may be used in the practice of the present invention. The overlap 21 consisting of the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24 protrudes beyond both ends of the absorbent core 26 in FIG.
22 and backsheet 24 are in close contact with each other by seals 56 along both ends of the incontinence pad 20.

In the preferred embodiment of incontinence pad 20 shown in FIG. 2, backsheet 24 extends around the bottom and both sides of incontinence pad 20. On both sides of the incontinence pad 20, the backsheet 24 has a plurality of vertical layers formed by folding it inward in the longitudinal direction. As can be seen in FIG. 2, there are at least two folds on each side of the incontinence pad 20, the first
It comprises a liquid impermeable trough 58 and a second impermeable trough 60, each trough having at least a first trough layer 62 and a second trough layer 64. In FIG. 2, each first rack layer 62 represents each second rack layer 64.
On the other hand, it is detachably fixed by the spacer beads 66.

In FIG. 2, the overlap 21 is made up of two parts, a topsheet 22 and a backsheet 24, rather than a single part because of the ease of manufacture of the incontinence pad 20. However, the number of parts that are joined together to form the overlap 21 is not critical. In fact, the single material portion overlap 21 is shown and described as another embodiment.

Topsheet 22 is an element of incontinence pad 20 that is placed in proximity to the skin of the wearer. The topsheet 22 is flexible, has a soft feel, and is non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, the topsheet 22 is liquid permeable, allowing liquids to easily permeate through its thickness. Generally, porous materials used as topsheets for disposable diapers or as covers for conventional sanitary napkins can be used in the present invention. Suitable topsheets from a wide range of materials such as porous foams, reticulated foams, aperture plastic films, natural fibers (eg wood fibers or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg polyester or polypropylene fibers) or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. 22 can be manufactured. Preferably, the topsheet 22 is made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from the liquid in the absorbent core 26.

A particularly preferred topsheet 22 comprises staple length polypropylene fibers having about 1.5 denier, such as Delaware, Hercules Type 151 polypropylene from Hercules, Inc. of Wilmington. As used herein, "staple length fiber" refers to a fiber having a length of at least about 15.9 mm (0.625 inches).

There are many techniques used to manufacture the topsheet 22.
For example, the top sheet 22 may be a woven cloth, a non-woven cloth, a spunbond cloth, a card, or the like. The preferred topsheet 22 is a card which is heat bonded as is known in the art. Preferably, the topsheet 22 has about 15
~ 25g per square meter, minimum dry tensile strength of at least about 400g per centimeter in machine direction and at least about 55g in cross machine direction
It has a wet tensile strength of every centimeter.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet
The outer surface of 22 is treated with a surfactant. Treatment of the outer surface of the topsheet 22 with a surfactant renders this surface hydrophilic and allows liquids to rapidly permeate the topsheet 22 without this treatment. This is a liquid absorbent core
Rather than being absorbed by 26, it flows over topsheet 22 and reduces the likelihood of soiling clothes and body. It is preferred that the surfactant be substantially evenly and completely distributed over the outer surface of the topsheet 22. This is done by any conventional technique known in the art. For example, surfactants can be topsheet by spraying, padding, or using transfer rolls.
Can be worn over 22.

The backsheet 24 is liquid impermeable and is preferably made of a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impermeable materials can be used. The backsheet 24 prevents the secretions absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 26 from leaking anything that comes into contact with the incontinence pad 20, such as underwear. Preferably, the backsheet 24 is about 0.012 m
Polyethylene film having a thickness of 0.5 mil to about 0.051 cm (2.0 mil), although other flexible liquid impermeable materials can be used. As used herein, "flexible" refers to a material that is conformal and readily conforms to the general shape and contours of the human body.

A suitable polyethylene film is manufactured by Monsanto Chemical Company and sold under the trademark Film No. 8020. The backsheet 24 is preferably embossed and / or matte finished to give it a cloth-like appearance. Further, the back sheet 24 can allow water vapor to escape from the absorbent core 26 while preventing the permeation of the secretions.

The size of the backsheet 24 is determined by the size of the absorbent core 26 chosen and the exact incontinence pad design. In a preferred embodiment, backsheet 24 extends from about 3.25 inches to about 1 on either side of base layer 36.
It extends 5.25 cm (6 inches) and extends at least about the bottom and both sides of the incontinence pad 20, and preferably about each portion of the elastic shaping member 28. Further, the backsheet 24 extends beyond both ends of the absorbent core 26 and is adhered to at least the topsheet 22 by the seal 56.

The topsheet 22 and backsheet 24 may be joined together in any suitable manner. In this case, "bonding" means a structure in which the topsheet 22 is directly bonded to the backsheet 24 by directly fixing the topsheet 22 to the backsheet 24, and the topsheet 22 is fixed to an intervening member. Backsheet
By sticking to 24, topsheet 22 backsheet 24
And a structure that is indirectly bonded to. In a preferred embodiment, the topsheet 22 and backsheet 24 are directly bonded to each other in the vicinity of the elastic shaping member 28 by a fixing means known in the art such as an adhesive 76.

The absorbent core 26 is generally compressible, conformal,
Any means capable of absorbing and retaining secretions without irritating the wearer's skin can be used. The absorbent core 26 is made from a variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent products, such as ground wood pulp, commonly referred to as airfelt. Examples of suitable absorbent materials include ground wood pulp, commonly referred to as airfelt, crepe cellulose wadding, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, spun fibers, or any equivalent material, or combinations thereof. However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 26 must match the expected liquid loading of the incontinence pad 20 for the desired application. Also, the volume of incontinence pad 20 must be varied to accommodate different wearers.

Preferably, the absorbent core 26 consists essentially of a substantially uniform mixture of hydrophilic fibrous material and a specified amount of discrete particles of a substantially water insoluble liquid absorbent hydrogel material. The various hydrophilic fiber materials mentioned above can be used. Particularly preferred fibers include hydrophilic fibers, such as cellulose fibers, rayon, surfactant-treated or silica-treated thermoplastic fibers and hydrophilically treated hydrophobic fibers such as polyester fibers. The most preferred materials are cellulose fibers, especially wood pulp fibers and wood pulp tissues.

The absorbent core 26 is preferably a hydrophilic fiber material,
It comprises discrete particles of a substantially water-insoluble hydrogel material. Such a hydrogel substance is an inorganic or organic compound capable of absorbing a liquid and retaining the liquid under an appropriate pressure.

Suitable hydrogels can be inorganic materials such as silica gel or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers. The bridging bond can be a covalent bond, an ionic bond, a van der Waals bond or a hydrogen bond. Examples of hydrogel polymers are polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer, polyvinyl ether, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl morpholinone, vinyl sulfonic acid polymers and copolymers. , Polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl pyridine and the like. Other suitable hydrogels are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,236, issued to Aterson, et al., Issued Aug. 26, 1975, which is incorporated by reference. Particularly preferred hydrogel polymers for use in the absorbent core 26 are hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, polyacrylates and isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymers or mixtures thereof.

Hydrogels are produced on February 28, 1978, US Pat. No. 4,076,663 to Mesda et al., US Pat. No. 4,286,082 to Tsubakimoto et al. On August 25, 1981, and US Pat. , No. 3,760,731
No. 3,664,343, 3,783,871 and the entire disclosures of these are incorporated by reference.

The hydrogel material in the absorbent core 26 is used in the form of discrete particles. Hydrogel particles have an arbitrary shape,
For example, it can be spherical or hemispherical, cubic, rod-shaped, polyhedral or the like. Needle-like, flake-like and fibrous shapes with a large maximum / minimum dimension ratio are also considered possible in this case. Agglomerates of hydrogel particles can also be used.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent core 26 comprises an intimate mixture in which the hydrogel particles are substantially evenly distributed throughout the hydrophilic fiber matrix.

The substantially uniform mixture used as the absorbent core 26 comprises a dispersed hydrogel particle laminate 67 interposed between a layer 68 of hydrophilic fibrous material, such as tissue paper.

Alternatively, the absorbent core 26 can be formed by air laying a dry mixture of hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel particles and concentrating the resulting web. Such a method is described in Procter and Gamble European Patent Publication No. EP-A-122,042 issued October 17, 1984,
Add this as a quote. For use as the absorbent core 26, as described in this reference, the web formed by this method preferably comprises substantially unbonded fibers and has a moisture content of 10% or less.

The absorbent core 26 can be any desired shape that is easy to wear, such as circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, elliptical, hourglass, dogbone or oval. However, preferably the absorbent core 26 comprises a multi-layer structure. In the present invention,
The term "layer" does not necessarily mean a single layer of material or sheet, respectively. That is, each layer can include a laminate of the desired shape of material or an assembly of several sheets or webs as described below. Therefore, in this specification,
The term "layer" includes the terms "multilayer" and "layered structure". Most preferably, the absorbent core 26 comprises a single web arranged in a number of core layers, the core layers comprising longitudinally extending pleats, which pleats have an incontinence pad.
Alternating zigzag along both sides of 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the absorbent core 26 is approximately 20 cm (8 cm
A square web measuring 8 inches by 20 inches,
This is folded in a zigzag shape. Following this fold sequence, both edges 69 of the single web of absorbent core 26 are absorbent along the longitudinal fold line "A" located approximately 6.4 cm (2.5 inches) inward from these edges. The core 26 is bent inward toward the center line 70 to form the second support layer 42. Then, along the second longitudinal fold line "B" which is about 1.6 cm (0.625 inches) outside the fold line "A", the edge 69 is folded outward from the center line 71 to form the second support layer 42 described above. To form a second edge layer 44 overlying. Overlap the second edge layer 44 by folding the edge 69 inward in the same direction as the first fold along a third longitudinal fold line "C" which is about 1.6 cm (0.625 inches) outside the fold line "B". The first support layer 38 is formed. Next, about 1.6c from the fold line "C"
Fourth longitudinal fold line "D" spaced 0.625 inches (m) outside
The edge 69 is bent outward from the center line 70 along the to form a first edge layer 40 that overlaps the first support layer 38.

Absorbent core having multiple core layers formed as described above
26 shows various advantages. There are numerous surfaces that can absorb and retain large amounts of liquid. Since the hydrogel material tends to swell and prevent liquid transfer to the interior of the absorbent material, it is desirable to have as large an area of initial contact with the contained liquid as possible. In the structure of the absorbent core 26, most of the surface area of each core layer is fully utilized. For example, a liquid impermeable step moves some liquid to the "outer" side of the edge layer.

In addition to the large surface area used, the absorbent core 26 is also free to allow liquid to pass through to the lower layers of the absorbent core 26, especially the base layer 36. As shown in FIG. 2, the first edge layer 40 and the second edge layer 44 are separated from each other.
Thus, the absorbent core 26 has a first central channel 46 and a second central channel 46.
A central channel 48, each of which is longitudinal in the first edge layer 40 and the first support layer 38, the second
It is partitioned by the edge layer 44 and the second support layer 42. The width of these central channels is important to prevent them from being mechanically occluded by the swollen hydrogel layer. The width of each central channel is at least about 1/6 of the total width of the incontinence pad 20, preferably about 1/2,
Most preferably it should be about 2/3.

The absorbent core 26, and in particular its base layer 36, is the topsheet 22.
And the backsheet 24, and preferably fixed to the backsheet 24 by attachment means (not shown) known in the art. For example, the absorbent core 26 may be secured to the backsheet 24 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a pattern layer, or a row of discrete lines or dots. Adhesives deemed suitable are trademarks of Eastman Chemical Products, Kingsport, TN.
It is commercially available as Eastobond A-3.

The elastic shaping member 28 includes the raised edges and the receiving channel.
And an improved incontinence pad structure having 30 and 30. The raised edges are pressed against the skin around the perineum by the wearer's underwear, which creates a gasket effect and creates a close contact between the wearer and the incontinence pad 20. In this way the liquid is directed to the center of the incontinence pad 20 and the liquid storage area 50
And enter the liquid storage channel 30. Further, because of its shape and retention characteristics even when the elastic shaping member 28 is wet, the incontinence pad 20 will accommodate the next spout of liquid and will not increase the likelihood of leakage. The elastic shaping member 28 is also comfortable for the wearer because of its physical properties. The elastic shaping member 28 also serves as a tank in the liquid containing area 50 for initially containing the rapidly drained liquid.

The elastic shaping member 28 is disposed between the topsheet 22 and the absorbent core 26 so as to obtain the desired characteristics described above. A wetting layer or other material may be placed between the topsheet 22 and the elastic shaping member 28, but such an embodiment is not preferred. In addition, the elastic shaping member 28 and the absorbent core
It is possible to arrange a liquid distribution amount between 26 and. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the elastic shaping member 28 and the first liquid distribution layer
Although 52 are integrally formed from the same web of material, the elastic shaping members 28 can be separate elements spaced apart from each other and / or spaced from the first liquid distribution layer 52.

The elastic shaping member 28 of the present invention can be variously formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the material forming the elastic shaping member 28 can be wound inside to define the receiving channel 30 that is wider in the upper and lower portions than the center.
Alternatively, the material can be folded in a zigzag pattern or multiple layers of material can be stacked to produce a sufficiently high elastic shaping member 28. The height of the elastic shaping member 28 is decisive for the dimension of the receiving channel 30 defined thereby (this height is the dimension measured from the lowest point to the highest point in the manufactured state, i.e. the elasticity). Defined as the maximum thickness of the shaping member 28). If the height of the elastic shaping member 28 is insufficient, the topsheet 22 will flex and contact the lower layer of the incontinence pad 20, resulting in a reduction in the volume of the containment channel 30. Thus, preferably, the elastic shaping member 28 has a height in the uncompressed state of at least about 0.5 cm, more preferably from about 1.0 cm to about 2.0 cm. As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic shaping member 28 has a height of about 1.5 cm.

To make the liquid flow rapidly to the bottom of the incontinence pad 20,
The elastic shaping members 28 must be spaced apart from each other.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elastic shaping members 28 are longitudinally spaced from each other to define a longitudinal receiving channel 30. Elements are arranged longitudinally along the edge of the pad, meaning that there is a lateral dimension separating these elements). The elastic shaping members 28 can be arranged in various shapes, but a longitudinally spaced structure is preferred.

In order to make the incontinence pad 20 comfortable and at the same time protective, the elastic shaping member 28 must be compressible, conformable and elastic. That is, the elastic shaping member 28, when the incontinence pad 20 is held adjacent to the wearer's body,
It must have physical properties such that it is bent, compressed, and conforms to its space by the stress exerted on these elastic shaping members 28 by the action of the wearer. The elastic shaping member 28 is
After the forming stress is removed, it must be elastic so that it essentially returns to its original size and shape without the application of external forces. The material used to make the elastic shaping member 28 is sufficiently elastic to recover about 80% of its initial volume when the compressive stress is removed after being compressed to about 20% of its initial volume. Most preferably, the material of elastic shaping member 28 is one that recovers at least about 90% of its initial volume when the compressive stress is removed after being compressed to about 50% of its initial volume.

Since the incontinence pad 20 is designed to retain its shape during use, the elastic shaping member 28 must also be unaffected by the presence of liquids such as urine.
That is, the elastic shaping member 28 must have a high degree of wet elasticity. The elastic shaping member 28 retains sufficient inherent elasticity, even when wet, to resist the dense packing of its fibers and to retain its elastic three-dimensional structural characteristics, thus providing an incontinence pad. 20 must hold its shape during the next jet of liquid. Certain materials and fibers, such as rayon or cellulose fibers, have a high degree of elasticity in the dry state, but are essentially inelastic when wet. Generally, such materials and fibers cannot be used as the elastic shaping member 28 in the present invention. As used herein, the term "moisture insensitivity" means
Refers to materials and fibers that have elasticity that is relatively unaffected by the presence of moisture.

Preferably, the elastic shaping member 28 comprises a mass or aggregate of fibers. The elastic shaping member 28 can be made of other materials such as synthetic foam, but such materials are less preferred than fiber aggregates. This fiber assembly preferably consists of hydrophobic fibers of synthetic material. This type of material exhibits inherent dry and wet elasticity. Other fibrous materials can be used as long as they exhibit dry and wet elasticity. For example, fibers that are interconnected at midpoints usually exhibit the required wet and dry elasticity. The elasticity of a fiber is described by its initial modulus. The first modulus is ASTM standard method D3822
(Standard test method for spinning characteristics of single-spun fibers). This method is added as a quote. A fiber is said to be moisture insensitive when the initial modulus of the fiber in the presence of moisture is at least about 90% of its initial dry modulus.

Synthetic fibers used in the present invention include fibers made of cellulose acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, acrylic resin, polyvinyl acetate, insoluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and preferably polyester. About 1 to about
Polyester fibers having a denier of 15 and a length of about 2 to about 8 cm are preferred. Elastic shaping member in this specification
The elasticity of 28 can be enhanced by bonding the fibers together at their points of contact. Heat bonding can be used to bond the synthetic fibers together, or an adhesive such as a latex adhesive can be used. Other examples suitable for use in the present invention are US Pat. No. 4,475,911 issued to Gelato on October 9, 1984, US Pat. No. 3,029,817 issued to Harwood on April 17, 1962, and 1968
U.S. Pat. No. 3,371,667 issued to Morse on March 5, 2013
All of these patents are incorporated by reference.

Preferably, the hydrogel-containing absorbent core 26 needs a porosity sufficient to rapidly contain a large amount of liquid, so it is desirable that the elastic shaping member 28 be able to contain a considerable amount of liquid. Therefore, the elastic shaping member 28 must be made of a relatively low density material so that it has sufficient voids in the fiber voids or capillaries to accommodate a substantial amount of urine. The low density material also helps the elastic shaping member 28 easily deform under the action of the wearer's body to provide comfort.
Preferably, the elastic material has a density of about 0.01 to about 0.5 g per cubic centimeter. The surface of the fiber is also hydrophobic because the fiber is preferably hydrophobic and does not absorb liquids inside it. Therefore, since the gap between the fiber aggregates facilitates the storage of a sufficient amount of liquid, the surface of the fiber can be made hydrophilic. More generally, the elastic shaping member 28 can be a material having gaps or capillaries that are leaked by liquid. Since urine or other body fluids are mainly aqueous solutions and suspensions, the surface leaked by these liquids can be broadly called hydrophilic. As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" refers to a surface that is leaked by the liquid.

Current techniques for material leakage can define hydrophilicity (and leakage) by the liquid-solid contact angle and surface tension. This is described in detail in "Contact Angle, Wetness and Adhesion", edited by Robert F. Gould, published in 1964, published by the American Chemical Society. A surface is said to be wetted by a liquid if the contact angle between the liquid and the surface is less than 90 °, or if the liquid spontaneously spreads along the surface. Both of these conditions usually coexist.

The material used for the elastic shaping member 28 can be rendered hydrophilic by any suitable means. For example, the material itself can be hydrophilic in nature. However, this is relatively rare as a material used for the elastic shaping member 28 as described above. The surface of the elastic shaping member 28 can be rendered hydrophilic by a treatment such as spraying a surface active agent such as a nonionic surface active agent or an anionic surface active agent onto the material or immersing the surface in the surface active agent. By treating the surface of the fiber with a surfactant, only the surface of the fiber exhibits hydrophilicity, while the fiber itself remains hydrophobic.

Suitable surfactants are nonionic surfactants such as Brij76 manufactured by Delaware, Wilmington, ICI America, Inc., and Pegosperse trademark by Glycochemicals, Connecticut, Greenwich.
Including various materials commercially available at. Anionic surfactants can also be used. Surfactants are applied to the fibers at the level of about 0.2-1 g per square meter material.

The synthetic foam used as the elastic shaping member 28 is 1978.
Includes polyester foam materials, polyurethane foams, styrene butadiene foams, and cellulosic sponge materials described by Desmurray in U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,176, issued Aug. 29, 1990, which is incorporated by reference. The synthetic foam must be soft, flexible, open-celled, and have a medium cell size. Its inner surface must be hydrophilic. Incorporation of surfactants during foam manufacture or addition of surfactants to preformed foams are suitable methods of rendering the inner surface hydrophilic. Foam is about 0.1-0.8g
It must have a density of every cubic centimeter.

The accommodation channel 30 is a space located immediately below the top sheet 22. This storage channel 30 improves the liquid storage rate. This is because there is no interference with the liquid flow immediately below the top sheet 22. Thus, a jet of liquid can easily and easily pass through the topsheet 22 and into the receiving channel 30 without the risk of leaking along the surface of the topsheet 22. Further, the storage channel 30 does not hold the liquid near the top sheet 22, thereby improving the dry state of the top sheet 22. Therefore, the liquid is the absorbent core
The risk of being squeezed out of 26 and flowing back through the topsheet 22 causing an unpleasant leak is reduced.

In order to obtain the above-mentioned characteristic improvement, it is preferable that the storage channel 30 is arranged between the top sheet 22 and the absorbent core 26. A wetting layer or other material may be placed between the topsheet 22 and the receiving channel 30, although such an embodiment is not preferred. More accommodation channels
Any number of materials or elements may be disposed between 30 and absorbent core 26. Preferably, as shown in FIG.
The first distribution layer 52 is arranged immediately below the accommodation channel 30. Both side walls of the receiving channel 30 are limited by the elastic shaping member 28. That is, the receiving channel 30 is defined longitudinally by the elastic shaping member 28 (defining being defined as the outer or limit line of the object). The receiving channel 30 is preferably limited to the longitudinal direction so as to form the longest possible channel. The containment channel 30 may be longitudinally defined by other elements or materials,
Such an embodiment is not preferred. The containment channel 30 can also be defined along other dimensions.

The width of the containment channel 30 is important for obtaining the rapid containment characteristics of the incontinence pad 20. If the containment channel 30 is too small, the incontinence pad 20 will not be able to rapidly collect and contain a large amount of jet. Accordingly, the containment channel 30 should have a width of at least about 1/6 of the total width of the incontinence pad 20. More preferably, the storage channel 30
Should have a width of at least 1/2, and most preferably 2/3, of the width of incontinence pad 20. The incontinence pad 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a preferred width of about 3 inches, so that the width of the containment channel 30 is at least about 1.27 cm.
(0.5 inches).

The liquid distribution layers 52, 54, 55 serve to rapidly collect and temporarily retain excreted body fluids. Since such a liquid is discharged in the form of a jet, the liquid distribution layer must be able to rapidly collect the liquid and send it from the first contact point on the liquid distribution layer to another portion. Further, it is preferable that the liquid distribution layer forms an elastic shape-retaining member inside the incontinence pad 20. The liquid distribution layer also enables liquid contact with the large area absorbent core 26.

The liquid distribution layer can be arranged in several places inside the incontinence pad 20. However, preferably the liquid distribution layer is the absorbent core 26.
Placed on top. Therefore, the first liquid distribution layer 52 is preferably disposed between the elastic shaping member 28 and the first edge layer 40.
The second liquid distribution layer 54 is disposed between the second edge layer 44 and the first support layer 38. The third liquid distribution layer 55 is disposed between the second support layer 42 and the base layer 36. The liquid distribution layer is preferably arranged as shown in FIG. 2, but it may be arranged at another position, or one or more of the liquid distribution layer may be omitted, or all of them may be omitted. You can also do it.

Various types of materials can be used in the liquid distribution layer of incontinence pad 20. Specific examples of such materials include cellulose fibers, rayon, polyester fibers. Since the liquid distribution layer is preferably elastic and moisture insensitive, it is preferred that the liquid distribution layer be made of an elastic low strength bulk density material. More preferably, the liquid distribution layer is made of the same material as the elastic shaping member 28.

As previously mentioned, the primary function of the liquid distribution layer is to receive the liquid passing through the relatively hydrophobic liquid permeable topsheet 22 and transfer this liquid to other parts of the liquid distribution layer and possibly the absorbent core 26. To send. Therefore, the liquid distribution layer is substantially free of hydrogel material. Alternatively, the liquid distribution layer may contain a small amount of hydrogel material in the form of particles as described below. In some cases, the presence of hydrogel particles in the liquid distribution layer helps to keep the density of the liquid distribution layer within a range suitable for promoting liquid distribution. Optionally, the type of hydrogel used in the liquid distribution layer need not be essentially the same as the type of hydrogel used in absorbent core 26.

Since the absorbent core, especially the absorbent core containing a hydrogel material, absorbs liquid slowly and expands upon absorption, the incontinence pad 20 preferably provides a space for rapid containment and temporary storage of liquid. I need. This space is generally defined as the liquid containing area 50. The volume bounded by this liquid containment area 50 should be at least equal to the amount of liquid the incontinence pad 20 intends to hold. The amount of fluid received by the incontinence pad 20 will vary from user to user. That is, volumes of about 0 to about 30 milliliters are expected. Therefore, the liquid containing area 50 should have a volume of at least about 30 cm ³ , more preferably 65 cm ³ to about 300 cm ³ . As shown in FIG. 2, incontinence pad 20 preferably has a liquid containment area 50 of about 205 cm ³ .

The liquid storage area 50 includes a space provided inside the incontinence pad 20 for rapidly receiving, storing and storing the discharged liquid. Therefore, the liquid storage area 50 has the storage channel 3
0, including a first central channel 46 and a second central channel 48. Further, since the liquid distribution layer and the elastic shaping member 28 have a large gap for receiving and containing the liquid, the liquid containing area 50 further includes these elements.

Further, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the liquid-impermeable tank 58 of the present invention.
Indicates 60 and. Each shelf set allows the liquid to flow towards the lower layers of the absorbent core 26, and in particular towards its base layer 36. In addition, these shelves let you use the bottom of the edge layer,
This enhances the use efficiency of the hydrogel material. As the liquid is contained in the liquid containing area 50, some liquid will flow to both sides of the incontinence pad 20. The liquid contacts the liquid impermeable shelf towards the bottom of the edge layer. Incontinence pad 20 thus improves liquid handling by controlling liquid migration.

To allow free distribution of liquid in the lower layer of incontinence pad 20, each shelf must have a maximum width so as not to create a mechanical barrier to the flow of liquid to the lower layer. Therefore, the maximum width of each shelf should be about 5/12, preferably about 1/8, of the total width of the incontinence pad 20. The most preferred structure is that each liquid impermeable rack has a width of about 1/4 of the total width of the incontinence pad 20.

The liquid impermeable rack may be a separate layer, but preferably each rack comprises a portion of the backsheet arranged to form a plurality of racks and is formed by the longitudinal folds of the backsheet. It As shown in FIG. 2, each liquid impermeable stage includes at least a first stage layer 62 and a second stage layer 64.

In the preferred embodiment of the incontinence pad 20 of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the incontinence pad 20 comprises at least two first liquid impermeable stages 58 and at least two second liquid impermeable stages 60. Have. A first liquid impermeable stage 58 is located on each side of the incontinence pad 20 between the second edge layer 44 and the first edge layer 40 opposite each other. Preferably, these steps are located between the first support layer 38 and the first edge layer 40. A second liquid impermeable stage 60 is disposed on each side of the incontinence pad 20, opposite each other, between the base layer 36 and the second edge layer 44. Preferably, the second liquid impermeable stage 60 is located between the second support layer 42 and the second edge layer 44.

The liquid impermeable step can be made of any liquid impermeable material known in the art, but is preferably a backsheet, such as a thin plastic film such as polyethylene.
It is made of the same material as 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the incontinence pad 20 is provided with anti-bunching beads 66. The spacer beads 66 are the first layer 61 of the liquid impermeable shelves 58.
To the second layer 64 to increase stability of the incontinence pad 20 and excessive twisting of the edges of the incontinence pad 20 when conforming to the wearer's body shape during use of the incontinence pad 20. Is
The elastic shaping members 28 are squeezed together so that the liquid storage channel 30
To prevent blockage from the liquid flow. As shown in FIG. 2, spacer beads 66 are preferably located in each liquid impermeable barrel 58 and 60. While such a structure is preferred, it is possible that the spacer beads 66 are not placed on some or all of the liquid impermeable rack. Spacer beads
66 can extend along the entire length of the liquid impermeable rack, but it can also extend for part of its length. Spacer beads 66 are double-sided adhesive tape, hot-melt adhesive,
Hot melt polypropylene or polyethylene, or any other means known in the art can be used.

The incontinence pad 20, as shown in FIG. 2, optionally includes adhesive fastening means 32. The adhesive attachment means 32 is a wide adhesive strip disposed on the backsheet 24 and runs substantially along the entire length of the incontinence pad 20. This structure is chosen for convenience. A person skilled in the art can easily select the pattern of the adhesive attaching means 32.

The purpose of the adhesive attachment means 32 is to secure the incontinence pad 20 to the crotch portion of the wearer's underwear. In the present invention,
Any adhesive or glue used in sanitary napkins for such purposes can be used. Pressure sensitive adhesives are preferred. Suitable adhesives include Century A-305IV manufactured by Century Adhesive and Instant manufactured by National Starch.
Includes LOK 34-2823. Adhesive attachment means 32 is preferred, although other means for physically affixing incontinence pad 20 to the crotch area of the wearer's underwear may be used.

If adhesive attachment means 32 is provided, it is usual to cover the adhesive attachment means 32 with a release liner 34 before the wearer attaches the incontinence pad 20 to the undergarment. The release liner 34 prevents the adhesive attachment means 32 from drying out and prevents other objects from adhering to the surface before use. Any release liner 34 commonly used for such purposes for sanitary napkins can be used in the present invention. Appropriate release
Examples of liners are manufactured by Acrosil
BL30 MG-A SILOX EI-0 and BL30 MG-A SILOX 4P / 0
Is.

In FIG. 1, the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24 are adhered to each other by seals 56 at both ends of the incontinence pad 20. The seal 56 is obtained by mechanical crimping, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesive bonding and the like.
While it is preferred that the elements described above be adhered to each other by a seal, there may be embodiments in which other elements are secured to these elements by a seal 56.

When using the incontinence pad 20, the release liner 34 is peeled from the incontinence pad 20, with the adhesive side facing the inside of the crotch portion of the garment, exposing the adhesive attachment means 32. Therefore, the incontinence pad 20 is fixed by strongly pressing the adhesive attachment means 32 against the crotch portion.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the overlap 21 'comprises a topsheet 22 which encloses the entire incontinence pad 20. Although it is preferred that the topsheet 22 covers the entire structure of the incontinence pad 20, embodiments are possible in which the overlap 21 surrounds only the sides and top of the incontinence pad 20. Since the absorbent core 26 expands when wet, the incontinence pad 20 comprises expansion means 72 for expanding the topsheet 22 as the absorbent core 26 expands.

The inflating means 72 is any means that releases the topsheet 22 when a light shearing or pulling action is applied to it. Without the expansion means 72, the expansion of the absorbent core 26 would severely deform the shape of the incontinence pad 20, increasing discomfort and reducing the liquid containment capacity of the incontinence pad 20. Therefore, the expansion means 72 causes the containment channel 30 to be narrowed by the absorbent core 26, the gap between the topsheet 22 and the absorbent core 26 is not maintained, and the incontinence pad 20 rapidly loses its liquid containing capacity. Prevent things. The expansion means 72 also prevent the absorbent core 26 from being squeezed when expanded, thus reducing the risk of re-leakage. Examples of such expansion means 72 include double-sided adhesive tape, mechanical means such as threads or wires, or mechanical fasteners.
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the expansion means 72 comprises a peelable adhesive 74. This peelable adhesive 74
Is an adhesive or glue that has the required properties of releasing topsheet 22 when subjected to light shear or peel stress. A particularly preferred releasable adhesive 74 is a hot melt adhesive, although other adhesives known in the art may be used.

The inflating means 72 can be placed at multiple locations on the incontinence pad 20. In the case shown in FIG. 3, the peelable adhesive 74 is attached on the back sheet 24, and a part of the top sheet 2 is attached to the back sheet 24 by the second support layer 42 and the second edge layer 44.
It is fixed between and. But topsheet 22
Can be affixed between the first support layer 38 and the first edge layer 40, or at any other time on the backsheet 24.

Another inflating means 72 is a number of overlapping layers formed on opposite sides of the incontinence pad 20, the overlapping layers being formed by longitudinal pleats in the topsheet 22. While it is preferred to have these multiple overlapping layers on either side of incontinence pad 20, embodiments in which multiple overlapping layers are formed at only one location on incontinence pad 20 are also contemplated. In this way, as the absorbent core 26 expands, the topsheet 22 stretches and expands these overlapping layers. In this embodiment, the expansion means 72 is located on the topsheet 22. Furthermore, the expansion means 72
A peelable adhesive disposed between the overlapping layers may be included to releasably secure the overlapping layers to each other. The overlap layer of the topsheet 22 preferably comprises a plurality of lobes extending longitudinally inwardly between the core layers of the absorbent core 26, particularly between the support layer and the edge layer. Alternatively, the overlap layer can be located between the base layer 36 and the edge layer and between any other core layers of the absorbent core 26. Further, the overlap layer can be located anywhere on the perimeter, including the bottom of the incontinence pad 20, for example.

The present invention is not limited to the above description, and can be arbitrarily modified and implemented within the scope of the gist thereof.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a substructure of an embodiment of the incontinence pad according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of an absorbent core according to the present invention before being folded into a preferred shape. 20 …… Incontinence pad, 22 …… Topsheet, 24 …… Backsheet, 26 …… Absorbent core, 28 …… Elastic shaping member, 30,4
6,48 ... Channel, 50 ... Liquid storage area, 52,54,55 ...
… Liquid distribution layer, 58,60 …… Liquid impervious tank, 66 …… Spacer beads, 67 …… Hydrogel particles, 72 …… Expansion means, 74 …… Peeling adhesive,

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An absorbent core (20) which expands when wet,
An overhang (21) extending around at least the sides and the top of the absorbent article and an inflating device (72) positioned at least on the overwrap to inflate the absorbent core when it expands. ), The expansion device (72) has a number of overlapping layers on each side of the absorbent product, the overlapping layers being a peelable adhesive located between the overlapping layers. An absorbent product, characterized in that it is formed by extending the folds of the overlap (21) in the longitudinal direction in combination with the agent (74). 2. Absorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent product (26) comprises a hydrogel. 3. The absorbent product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the peelable adhesive (74) is a hot melt adhesive. 4. The overlap (21) is (a) a backsheet (24) extending around at least the bottom and the longitudinal side of the absorbent product, and (b) joined to the backsheet (24) to absorb the absorbent. Comprising a composite of at least a longitudinal side and a topsheet (22) extending around the top of the absorbent product (20), wherein the absorbent core is (i) located proximate to the backsheet (24). Base layer (36) (ii) At least two side edge layers, one on each side of the absorbent article, in a spaced relationship from each other between the base layer (36) and the topsheet (22). Claims (40,44), wherein the overlap layer is formed by extending the folds located between the base layer (36) and the side edge layers (40,44) inward in the longitudinal direction. Range first
Item 4. The absorbent product according to any one of items 3 to 3. 5. The absorbent article (26) is a singulated web arranged in a number of core layers, the core layers being formed by longitudinally extending pleats in the web, the pleats being on each side. In a zigzag shape with (i) a base layer (36) located close to the backsheet (24) (ii) one on each side of the absorbent product, spaced apart from each other At least two first support layers (38) and (iii) at least two first side edge layers (40), one on each side of the absorbent product, spaced apart from each other. Wherein the overlap layer is formed by longitudinally extending inwardly a fold located between the support layer (38) and the side edge layer (40) on each side of the absorbent article. The absorbent product according to item 4. 6. A part of the topsheet (22) is separable from a part of the backsheet (24) so as to provide continuous expansion of the topsheet (22) when the absorbent core expands. Absorbent product according to claim 5, comprising a peelable adhesive (74) provided on the backsheet (24) on each side of the absorbent product for fastening. 7. Absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the peelable adhesive (74) is located between the first support layer (38) and the first side edge layer (40). . 8. The absorbent core further comprises (iv) at least two second support layers (42) and (v) mutually disposed in spaced relation to each other, one on each side of the absorbent product. Having at least two second side edge layers (44), one on each side of the absorbent product in spaced relationship;
The peelable adhesive (74) is located between the second support layer (42) and the second side edge layer (44), according to any one of claims 5 to 7. Absorbent product described in.